University Of Akron Students And Diebold Engineers Team Up To Explore Uncharted Virtual World

Cloud computing course series strives to turn concepts into reality

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Aug. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud computing, a nebulous term that refers to using the Internet to store data, run programs and more, has yet to significantly enter the college classroom, until now. Students from The University of Akron (UA) and software engineers from Green-based Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE:DBD), makers of automated teller machines (ATMs) and security systems, will participate in a series of three courses in cloud computing at UA to learn how industry can maximize cyberspace resources. Simultaneously, a group of budding computer scientists will receive specialized training to help industry — right out of college.

In all, 12 UA students and six Diebold engineers will participate in the classes, which take place during the fall 2012 and spring and summer 2013 semesters. Topics cover cloud computing fundamentals, tools and platforms; cloud "mashups," or website pages or applications that use or combine data, presentation or functionality from two or more sources to create new services; best practices in cloud applications; and cloud security.

Leading engineers from Diebold were directly involved in shaping the cloud computing class curriculum with UA professors, transpiring as a result of Diebold's role on the UA Computer Science Advisory Board. Also, Diebold engineers attending the course have been working with cloud-oriented technologies and mashups since early 2011 through research and various active projects.

Several students selected for the course series also will serve internships at Diebold, where they will work alongside skilled professionals who already develop and deploy cloud technology for the company. In addition, pairs of UA students will team up with Diebold software engineers to work on non-Diebold projects.

"This partnership will help fill identified workforce needs and contribute to innovative technological advances. The interactions our students will have with Diebold engineers, both in the classroom and through co-ops and dedicated projects, will help create for them an outstanding academic experience — a true Akron Experience," said William M. "Mike" Sherman. UA senior vice president, provost and chief operating officer. "Experiences like these will make our graduates distinctive and benefit our industry partners with UA graduates ready to contribute from the first day on the job. We are thrilled to partner with Diebold in this exciting opportunity and look forward to furthering the use of cloud computing to create innovative solutions."